233. When I was living in Uttarkashi, I had good Nishtha, exalted Vrittis and good Dharma. I have lost them now after entering the plains, even though I do Sadhana. Why? How to raise myself as before?

Contact with worldly-minded people at once affects the mind. Vikshepa comes in. The mind imitates. Bad, luxurious habits are developed. Bad environments and bad associations play a tremendous part and produce a bad influence on the mind of Sadhaks. Old Samskaras are revived. I will ask you to run at once to Uttarkashi, back again. Don't delay even a single minute. As the mind is formed out of the subtlest part of the food, i.e., gets attached to that man from whom it receives its food. Don't be under obligation to anybody. Lead an independent life. Rely on your own self.

234. What is God?

If I give you a good slap on your face, who knows that slap? That knower (Vetta), that knowing subject, is God. When a strong desire is satisfied or gratified, that blissful state wherein the mind finds rest is God. That which sparkles or glitters in your eyes is God. That which prompts you to think is God, the Lord of the mind. The source (Yoni) or support (Adhishthan) for your mind, Prana, senses and body is God.

The tree exists. It shines. It gives delight. These three aspects, existence, shining, delight— Asti-Bhati-Priya or Sat-Chit-Ananda¾ is God. God is truth. God is love, God is beauty. God is Ananda. God is Light of lights. God is Mind of minds, Prana of Pranas, Soul of souls. That shines in your heart and that is inseparable from you. Feel His presence always. Recognize His presence always, everywhere. Carry His presence when you walk.

235. Why does God create rogues?

As this is a relative world, there must be rogues and honest men. A rogue is not an eternal rogue. A rogue is the saint of the future. Roguery is a negative virtue. It is not a separate entity. Honesty will have no existence in the absence of roguery. The raison d'etre of roguery is to glorify honesty. Roguery and honesty are the obverse and the reverse of the same coin. They are mental creations only. Even a rogue has some virtues. There is neither absolute roguery nor absolute honesty. God Himself plays the part of a rogue in the world's drama for His Lila. There is neither John nor Peter.

236. When I was at Swargashram, your good self told me that we should take eatables from the hands of Mohammedans and should never hesitate from doing so. But our Shastras teach us that we should not accept eatable things from a great sinner. Mohammedans eat beef. Why should we accept any eatable thing from their hands?

If you think that a man is full of vicious deeds, do not take food from his hands. If you think that Lord Siva or Hari dwells even in an evil-minded man, if you entertain this strong idea, you can eat from anybody's hands. Your Drishti or angle of vision is very limited now. You are a beginner in the spiritual line. Your heart is not expanded now. Do plenty of Japa and other religious practices, which I have taught you, wholeheartedly. Feel His indwelling presence in a stone, flower, spoon, towel, in everything. After some time you will be elevated. You will see the Lord only in everything. You have now got a strong anti-Mohammedan Samskara. Destroy it gradually. Love a Mohammedan from the bottom of your heart. Serve him with great devotion. See Hari in his sparkling eyes, in the throbbing of his heart. Have Sattvic Ahara, any kind of pure food. Offer it to God first and then take it as Prasada or sacrament. Repeat His Name before you take food. Thus you can purify or spiritualize any kind of impure food.